DBP4620 Posted December 13, 2011 Report Share Posted December 13, 2011 Does anyone know about them or had one, has it shown anything.... what can it show in terms of POTS? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubytuesday Posted December 13, 2011 Report Share Posted December 13, 2011 What I do know about them having EDS and Chiari I, POTS/OH/dysautonomia is that with chiari I (cerebellar tonsils exit the base of brain into spinal column), a supine MRI shows yes there is a chiari I and it's measurements that are useless. Seated or standing MRI are more useful as it shows the pull of gravity on the Chiari I (since we spend most of our time in upright position). This could impede blood/spinal fluid flow in/around the brain.Dynamic Imaging has website that explains. Chiari Institute also has website videos you can watch. I would presume that whatever it is your doctor is looking at would be the same theory. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HopeSprings Posted December 14, 2011 Report Share Posted December 14, 2011 I was going to ask a similar question. I've been holding on to a prescription for a laying/upright MRA for months. I haven't had it done because I wasn't sure if this was the right test to show brain blood flow. I already had a laying MRA and it was normal - just don't want to go through it again if it's not the right test. Any opinions on upright MRA would be welcome too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubytuesday Posted December 14, 2011 Report Share Posted December 14, 2011 I was going to ask a similar question. I've been holding on to a prescription for a laying/upright MRA for months. I haven't had it done because I wasn't sure if this was the right test to show brain blood flow. I already had a laying MRA and it was normal - just don't want to go through it again if it's not the right test. Any opinions on upright MRA would be welcome too.I believe that it would be a pertinent finding on seated/standing MRI that would then lend medical necessity justify the need with health insurance carriers to authorize the brain flow studies. I think it is a process of one finding at a time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HopeSprings Posted December 14, 2011 Report Share Posted December 14, 2011 Ruby: I don't understand- MRI and MRA show different things. I asked my Ear Dr. if there was a way to look at blood flow to the brain and she gave me a prescription for an MRA of the head (supine and upright). I've just never heard of this test being done for this issue - so I didn't know if it was worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubytuesday Posted December 14, 2011 Report Share Posted December 14, 2011 (edited) Naomi, an MRA looks at the arterial structures in the brain that the MRI does not. Edited December 14, 2011 by corina removed unnecessary quoting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HopeSprings Posted December 14, 2011 Report Share Posted December 14, 2011 Right, but does arterial structure = blood flow issues? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubytuesday Posted December 14, 2011 Report Share Posted December 14, 2011 Right, but does arterial structure = blood flow issues?It would show impeded flow in arteries with things such as aneyrysms, arteriovenous malformation, blockages that interfere with blood flow in the arteries/vessels, or search for a source of bleed. It evaluated the carotid arteries, the basilar artery (two arteries that arise from the chest into the vertebrae) and the circle of Willis (group of vessels at base of skull that feed the brain)'A CSF flow study is an MRI of brain or spine that evaluates the cerebral spinal fluid flow around the brain, brainstem and/or spinal cord (depending on which type is ordered).I hope that clarifies a little better? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HopeSprings Posted December 14, 2011 Report Share Posted December 14, 2011 Yes, thank you Ruby. Sorry for intruding on your thread DBP - but maybe some of that was useful? I'm just going to get the test if insurance will approve. Hey, what's one more test - you never know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBP4620 Posted December 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 14, 2011 np Naomi.... im wondering what would show more in my case the upright mri or mra just want to look at any changes in the brain vs my mri lying down Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaos Posted December 14, 2011 Report Share Posted December 14, 2011 Naomi- Would a transcranial doppler perhaps show more of the cerebral blood flow issues you are asking about? It seems like that's what Stewart is using in a lot of his studies on the POTS topic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaos Posted December 14, 2011 Report Share Posted December 14, 2011 DBP4620- Not sure a stand up MRI would show anything about POTS but it might be helpful to rule out other possible causes of POTS type symptoms e.g MS etc. Also would show the Chiari better like RubyTuesday mentioned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HopeSprings Posted December 14, 2011 Report Share Posted December 14, 2011 Chaos - YES, I agree, but can't seem to find a Dr. who does transcranial doppler and in particular does this while UPRIGHT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.